Discussion

In the present study it is remarkable that patients in "high" CVR group showed higher values of cystatin C and microalbuminuria even though kidney function was normal. Also microalbuminuria, besides its relation with progressive renal damage, has been found to be an independent factor of CVR and mortality in the general population. Furthermore, the positive correlation between CVR and cystatin C found in this study for the first time in HIV positive patients, is in accord with the evidence existing in literature of a strong association between cystatin C and CVR in the general population. These findings may indicate that cystatin C and microalbuminuria could serve as early markers of enhanced CVR, besides of renal complications, in the HIV-infected population.